Latest news with #MalaysianTimberCertificationScheme
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
‘Greenwashing whitewashes environmental issues'
PETALING JAYA: 'It's not enough to plant trees and print green brochures,' say local environmentalists as World Environment Day is celebrated today across Malaysia and around the globe. While corporations champion sustainability in their marketing, activists say much of it amounts to greenwashing – public relations tactics designed to appear environmentally responsible without addressing the real damage being done. RimbaWatch director Adam Farhan said the disconnect is increasing. 'We're seeing companies promote 'sustainability' while simultaneously contributing to major environmental destruction,' he said. 'From so-called 'eco-homes' built on previously untouched forest land to fossil fuel giants declaring 'carbon neutrality' without any credible transition plans, this is deception (done) in plain sight.' He added that the issue lies in vague buzzwords such as 'eco-friendly', 'green' and 'sustainable' – terms that are often used on product packaging without any substantiation or standard. 'Generally, the more generic the claim, the less credible it is.' 'We've seen '1.5°C compliant' logos and so-called 'Green Certified' products that have no third-party verification.' RimbaWatch has also flagged timber companies for abusing weak certification systems. 'Logging concessions under the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme have been involved in forest conversion and violations of indigenous rights, yet the timber is still marketed as 'sustainable'.' Even more concerning are fossil fuel companies promoting 'net zero by 2050' pledges, often backed by questionable carbon offset schemes. 'Most of these offsets are unverified and located overseas. It's not just greenwashing, it's environmental disinformation.' Malaysia currently lacks legal mechanisms to define or penalise greenwashing. In response, RimbaWatch has launched a Green Claims Guide and is urging the government to amend the Consumer Protection Act and introduce enforcement tools. 'Without proper regulation, companies will continue misleading the public with impunity,' he said. 'This isn't just a branding issue; it's an environmental justice issue. If we don't call it out, we're complicit.' Zero Waste Malaysia (ZWM) stated that many Malaysians mistakenly believe terms such as 'biodegradable' and 'compostable' imply guilt-free consumption. 'Biodegradable plastics are still plastic. They're single-use items that require industrial composting facilities, which Malaysia doesn't even have,' ZWM told theSun. Even 'home-compostable' products demand strict testing conditions and reliable collection systems, another infrastructure gap the country has yet to address. ZWM said the root of the problem is a lack of public understanding. 'Greenwashing spreads misinformation to build brand trust. People see a leaf logo or the word 'bio' and assume it's environmentally friendly. But that mindset fuels overconsumption and poor waste management.' ZWM added that recycling is another area rife with misconceptions. Only certain plastics – such as those used in water bottles, shampoo containers, and some food packaging – can be recycled. Most other items, including paper cups and snack wrappers typically end up in landfills. To combat the confusion, ZWM has launched Trash Encyclopaedia and quizzes to help Malaysians decode packaging labels. 'We've found major gaps in public awareness. That's why consumer education is so important.' Currently, MyHijau is the only green product certification system in Malaysia, managed by the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation. However, many products still carry unverifiable green claims with little to no oversight. ZWM is advocating extended producer responsibility laws to hold companies accountable throughout the entire lifecycle of a product. 'Malaysia needs stricter governance on terms like 'biodegradable' and 'bioplastics'.' The message is clear, focus less on labels and more on reducing consumption. 'There's no such thing as a perfect zero waste solution. But if you must consume, choose reusable, durable options and understand how your choices impact the planet.
Borneo Post
28-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sarawak maintains 7.65 mln ha of forest cover, says Deputy Premier
Awang Tengah stated that of this total, about 1.83 million ha have been certified under the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS), which is recognised by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). — Photo by Mazidi Abd Gani KUCHING (May 28): Sarawak has successfully maintained forested areas covering 7.65 million hectares (ha), accounting for approximately 62 per cent of the state's total land area, said Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan. The Deputy Premier stated that of this total, about 1.83 million ha have been certified under the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS), which is recognised by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). 'Sarawak is currently undergoing a transformation towards a green development model, focusing on sustainable forest management through certification, biodiversity conservation, and the digitalisation of operations. 'This is essential to ensure that the state's forest resources are utilised through sustainable natural capital management,' he said during his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today. As part of its digitalisation efforts, Awang Tengah said the Sarawak Forest Department has developed and adopted satellite and Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies through the Enterprise Forest Information Management System (EFIMS). 'Additionally, the Forest Licence Portal which includes the Electronic Removal Pass (ePASS) module, has been introduced to replace the use of Pre-Printed Removal Passes. 'Meanwhile, the Sarawak Logs Tracking and Forest Revenue System (Revlog) is used for transparent and efficient monitoring of forest revenue and timber traceability,' he added. Awang Tengah said these initiatives position Sarawak as a leader in sustainable tropical forest management, in line with the core principles of the Timber Legality Assurance System (TLAS), including compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
Borneo Post
09-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sarawak Forest Dept welcomes FSC's conditional continuation with Samling Group
In a statement, FDS said the decision, announced last April 25, which followed an assessment by an independent expert panel, affirms the ongoing improvements and commitment by Samling towards sustainable forest management in Sarawak. KUCHING (May 10): The Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) has welcomed the Forest Stewardship Council's (FSC) recent decision to retain its association with the Samling Group, subject to conditions. In a statement, FDS said the decision, announced last April 25, which followed an assessment by an independent expert panel, affirms the ongoing improvements and commitment by Samling towards sustainable forest management in Sarawak. FDS reiterates that the allegations brought forth by several civil society organisations, both local and international, do not reflect the actual situation on the ground. 'These claims are misleading, inaccurate, and fail to acknowledge the continuous progress and transparency shown by licensed forest operators under the monitoring and regulation of the Forest Department,' it said. The complaint, as noted in the FSC decision, involved forest areas not certified under FSC, but under the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS), which is endorsed by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). Importantly, the Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC) had already completed its investigation and closed the matter in 2021, confirming the validity of the MTCS certificates. The FSC Panel did find a small-scale violation outside certified areas but concluded that it was not sufficient to justify disassociation, given the overall scale and context, reaffirming that most of the operations met compliance expectations. FDS said it recognised Samling's continuous efforts to enhance environmental and social governance, especially in stakeholder engagement, certification compliance, and sustainable forestry practices. 'These efforts align with Sarawak's Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030,' they said. FDS also urged non-governmental organisations (NGO) and stakeholders to engage constructively and truthfully, grounded in evidence and facts. While they remain open to transparent dialogue, they will not condone the dissemination of baseless accusations that undermine the integrity of Sarawak's forestry sector and its internationally recognised certification systems. Forest Department Sarawak Forest Stewardship Council lead Samling Group
Malaysia Sun
05-05-2025
- Malaysia Sun
Wood Products Tainted by Abuse, Deforestation
(Brussels) - Malaysia's Sarawak state has failed to protect an Indigenous community from a timber company that logged without the community's consent and seeks to remove them from their land, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. Similar rights abuses throughout Sarawak underscore the need for the government to regulate businesses and for international buyers of Malaysian wood products - including the European Union, the United States, and Japan - to enforce sustainability laws for timber imports. The 54-page report, "Facing the Bulldozers: Iban Indigenous Resistance to the Timber Industry in Sarawak, Malaysia," details how the Malaysian company Zedtee, part of the Shin Yang Group timber conglomerate, logged in the ancestral territory of the Iban community Rumah Jeffery without their consent. Human Rights Watch found that Zedtee's conduct did not meet Sarawak's laws and policies, or the terms of the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme. Rather than hold Zedtee accountable, the Sarawak state government threatened to arrest protesters and demolish Rumah Jeffery's village. "The Sarawak government should protect Rumah Jeffery's rights and ensure that Zedtee compensates the community for the harm suffered," said Luciana Tellez Chavez, senior environment researcher at Human Rights Watch. "Malaysia's federal government should enact and enforce laws protecting Indigenous rights to prevent these violations from recurring." Rumah Jeffery is an Iban Indigenous community residing on the banks of Sarawak's Belawit River. Approximately 60 residents forage the surrounding rainforest for edible plants, harvest fruit trees, and trap fish in nearby streams. The community grows vegetables for their own consumption and cash crops they sell in local markets. The Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (SADIA), an Indigenous organization that supports communities in defending their land rights, assisted Rumah Jeffery in mapping their ancestral territory. A map that Human Rights Watch obtained based on aerial photographs taken by the British air force in 1951 shows evidence of the community's presence on the land at the time. "Rumah Jeffery meets all the requirements under the Sarawak Land Code for the government to legally recognize their customary rights over their ancestral land," said Nicholas Mujah, SADIA's general secretary. The Sarawak government granted Zedtee two leases that completely cover Rumah Jeffery's territory. One lease is a logging concession, while the other is for a tree plantation. The logging concession is certified under the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme. The certification requires companies to respect Indigenous land rights. Community members said they never consented to relinquishing their land or forest resources to Zedtee. This discrepancy was not noted in the most recent audit of the logging concession, Human Rights Watch said. While the Sarawak government requires tree plantations to be accredited under a sustainability certification program, Zedtee's tree plantation was not certified. In 2022, Zedtee logged part of Rumah Jeffery's forest without their free, prior, and informed consent, a long-established principle of international law. The Rumah Jeffery village chief said that when protesters confronted the bulldozers, officials from the Sarawak Forest Department threatened to arrest them. Later, police threatened to demolish the community's longhouse. Zedtee filed a complaint with the Forest Department against Rumah Jeffery. In October 2022, the Forest Department issued an eviction order against the community and five other Indigenous communities overlapping with Zedtee's lease. The community appealed to multiple government offices, without an official response thus far. The unenforced eviction order remains a constant source of anxiety for Rumah Jeffery. Were the Sarawak Forest Department to evict the community, it would amount to a forced eviction in violation of Malaysia's international human rights obligations, Human Rights Watch said. Relevant standards include the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, which apply to both governments and companies. Sarawak's laws and policies, while generally inadequate in regard to Indigenous rights, were not upheld in Rumah Jeffery's case. Sarawak's Land Code requires the state to "terminate" native customary land, or the community to "surrender" it and compensation paid before the land could be used. Tree plantations - the leading driver of deforestation in Sarawak - feed into the state's timber exports, worth MYR 2.3 billion (US$560 million) in 2023. Zedtee's parent company, the Shin Yang Group, lists Japan, the EU, and the US on its website as markets for its wood products. Zedtee and the Shin Yang Group have not responded to multiple requests for comment. The Forest Department said Zedtee's tree plantation was "managed and monitored in strict accordance with all applicable forest regulations, policies, and laws, "though it was never certified. The Certification Council responded that it had engaged Zedtee on the allegations and, more generally, that it was revising its standards. SIRIM, which audits Zedtee's logging concession, and the Sarawak Land and Survey Department have not responded. Top buyers of wood from Sarawak, including France, the Netherlands, Japan, and the US, should enforce existing laws that regulate the trade of wood products: the EU Timber Regulation, the EU Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products, Japan's Clean Wood Act, and the US Lacey Act Amendment of 2008. The Malaysian federal government should cap tree plantations as it has already done for oil palm plantations and make certification mandatory for all tree plantations, Human Rights Watch said. The Sarawak government should cancel long-term timber leases that are ineligible for sustainability certification, in line with its own policy. "The international trade of wood products tainted by human rights abuses and deforestation is a shared responsibility between sellers and buyers," Tellez Chavez said. "They both need to clean up supply chains, protect rights, and safeguard nature." Source: Human Rights Watch
